Review: Disney On Ice Continues To Wow With ‘Dream Big’

It’s always one of the most exciting events of the year for kids – and we were at the opening of Disney On Ice’s new production ‘Dream Big’.

Admit it – no matter how old you are, Disney always manages to bring out the kid in you. So, we were really excited when Disney announced that their yearly ‘Disney On Ice’ production was returning to South Africa in 2018!

In ‘Dream Big’, Disney On Ice celebrates their classics in entertaining skating performances which bring the magic of the films to life. This time, Tinker Bell takes audiences on an enchanting pixie-dust filled journey of beloved Disney tales which looks back at the classic tales of Disney’s eight popular princesses.

The production kicks off with the story of Aladdin as Mickey and Minnie Mouse kick off the production in Agrabah before the Snow White escapes from the evil queen and meets seven little men who help her escape and ultimately become her new family enchant viewers of all ages. The production continues with stories of Ariel, Belle, Tiana, Rapunzel, Cinderella before ending off with Anna and Elsa of Arendelle’s magical ‘Frozen’ story.

If you’ve been to Disney On Ice before, you’ll know exactly what to expect. The stories are re-enacted by professional skaters who do a fantastic job acting out the stories we all know and love. While the stories are put together brilliantly, it’s the costumes that really wow us. The costumes are some of the best we’ve ever seen in a production and we loved seeing just how identical characters like the seven dwarfs, Sebastian, Flounder, Olaf and more looked to their animated counterparts. The cast also had an incredible array of costumes and everyone from the princesses to the ensemble looked the part. Disney spent a lot of time and money ensuring that this part of the production was flawless and it’s one of the reasons Disney On Ice is so successful around the world.

Meanwhile, the sets also added a wow factor to the production. They are simply built and easy to maneuverer but are still brilliantly crafted. Everything from benches to the main castle was outstanding and helped viewers feel like they were truly transported to the stories they fell in love with. These props, alongside fireworks, bubble and snow machines, the lighting and the costumes create an unforgettable experience – and that’s what makes a show like this so special.

The variety of acts is fantastic and each act is short enough to keep fans entertained. Like last year, the Frozen scene makes an epic finale and is, unexpectedly, given a much longer time slot. However, the show’s only downfall is that it seems to be geared more to girls this time around. Last year, Toy Story and Finding Nemo were also added into the production while ‘Dream Big’ is led by Tinker Bell and puts a major focus on Disney’s famous princesses. However, while some boys may be disappointed, the show is marvellous and is bound to entertain Disney fans both young and old.

Like any successful business, Disney also makes sure to have a wide variety of merchandise available at the show. From a variety of dolls, mugs, flags, bags, hats and snacks like snow cones and popcorn – there is something for everyone!

Commenting on the show, Producer Kenneth Feld said: “Before dreaming up this show, we reflected on what makes Disney’s leading ladies so unique. Having three daughters, it didn’t take that long to realise that every princess had one thing in common, each one had a dream and the determination to make it a reality. We wanted to share that inspirational message with our audiences by celebrating the stories of these courageous young women and the friends that helped them along.

Meanwhile, Tony Feldman from Showtime Management adds that “This year’s Dream Big production not only delivers timeless tales, but reminds us all that no dream is out of reach if we have the courage to fight for it.”